Diaper dermatitis - Candida-associated

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Candida, flourescent stain

Diaper rash

Candida-associated diaper dermatitis is an infection of the skin beneath an infant's diaper. It is caused by Candida organisms (yeasts).

Dermatitis - diaper and Candida; Candida-associated diaper dermatitis

Diaper rashes caused by infection with Candida species are extremely common in children. Candida is found everywhere in the environment and takes advantage of the warm, moist conditions beneath a diaper to cause superficial skin infections.

The infection may begin as an intensely red patch with irregular (but sharp) boarders. Satellite lesions, smaller red patches just separated from the original patch's boarder, spread and blend in with the larger patch. The rash may spread to include the entire area covered by the diaper, including the scrotum and penis in boys, and the labia and vagina in girls.

Candidal diaper rashes can be associated with oral candidiasis, or Thrush. In this case, the oral infection must also be treated.

Review Date: 10/27/2005
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.